5 Top Gainers In Healthcare Sector (NVUS, MGTX, APHA...)

(RTTNews) - The following are some of today's top gainers in the pharma/biotech sector.

1. Novus Therapeutics Inc. (NVUS)

Gained 39.16% to close Thursday's (Jan.31) trading at $4.30.

News: The Company provided updates on several ongoing and planned clinical trials with OP0201, its lead product candidate being developed for otitis media.

Screening has been initiated for phase I Pharmacodynamic Effects Trial with OP0201, and for the second cohort of phase I trial of OP0201 in healthy adults.

Data from the above two clinical trials are expected to be available in the second calendar quarter of 2019.

A new phase IIa trial in infants and children with acute otitis media is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with data available in the second half of 2019.

2. MeiraGTx Holdings plc (MGTX)

MeiraGTx Holdings is a clinical-stage gene therapy company.

Gained 29.77% to close Thursday's trading at $12.38.

News: The Company has entered into a broad strategic collaboration with Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) Janssen Pharma to develop and commercialize gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Janssen Pharma will receive worldwide exclusive rights to commercialize MeiraGTx's product candidates for achromatopsia (ACHM) caused by mutations in either CNGB3 or CNGA3, X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and has options to additional inherited retinal diseases programs.

All clinical development and commercialization costs of MeiraGTx inherited retinal disease gene therapy programs will be funded by Janssen.

MeiraGTx will receive $100 million cash upfront payment upon closing and is entitled to receive 20% net sales royalties and additional potential future milestone payments.

3. Onconova Therapeutics Inc. (ONTX)

Onconova is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products to treat cancer.

Gained 27.05% to close Thursday's trading at $3.10.

News: The Company announced it will be presenting detailed information from its phase II Rigosertib trial and clinical strategy and near-term milestones on February 7, 2019.

Recent events:

-- On January 3, the Company announced the submission of a Special Protocol Assessment request to the FDA for a phase III study of oral Rigosertib combination therapy with Vidaza for the treatment of adult patients with treatment-naïve higher-risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Near-term Catalyst:

-- A phase III pivotal trial with intravenous Rigosertib for high-risk second-line patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes, dubbed INSPIRE, is underway. Top-line data from this study is expected in the second half of 2019.

4. China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SXTC)

China SXT Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company developing and marketing traditional Chinese medicine pieces, which is a type of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been processed to be ready for use.

Gained 17.13% to close Thursday's trading at $7.11.

News: No news

Recent event:

On January 4, 2019, the Company's shares made their debut on the NASDAQ at an offering price of $4.00 per share.

The Company's net revenues increased from $3.72 million in fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, to $4.88 million in fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, representing an increase of 31.3%. The net income increased from $141,544 in fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, to $1.18 million in fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, representing an increase of 737.3% during that period.

5. Aphria Inc. (APHA)

Aphria is a global cannabis company.

Gained 14.10% to close Thursday's trading at $8.74.

News: No news

Recent events:

-- On January 22, the Company confirmed an unsolicited take-over bid by Green Growth Brands Inc. (GGB.CN), and urged the shareholders to take no action.

On January 11, the Company reported fiscal 2019 second quarter financial results.

Net income for the second quarter ended November 30, 2018, was $54.8 million or $0.22 per share compared to $6.5 million or $0.05 per share for the same period last year. Net revenue for the fiscal 2019 second quarter was $21.7 million compared to $8.5 million in the same period last year.